During an episode of The Apprentice, a contestant decided to leave the show, criticizing Lord Sugar’s tough selection process by saying that it wasn’t suitable for them.
MailOnline can reveal the contestant gave up their fight during intense scenes in the boardroom, leaving the billionaire businessman stunned.
The scene, which has not been broadcast yet on the BBC program, shows a candidate abruptly ending their opportunity to compete for Lord Sugar’s personal guidance and a £250,000 investment.
To the shock of the cast, the candidate dodges being fired by Lord Sugar, 77, opting to take matters into their own hands.
In the upcoming task, the aspiring entrepreneurs will visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the famous birthplace of William Shakespeare. Their challenge is to obtain nine specific items from the area while trying to spend the least amount of money possible.
But the pressure proves too difficult for one of the 18 contestants, with cracks beginning to show ahead of their early departure.
![A candidate on The Apprentice dramatically quits the show before taking a swipe at Lord Sugar's gruelling selection process, blasting 'it's not for me'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/09/95123459-14385315-image-m-2_1739353101329.jpg)
A candidate on The Apprentice dramatically quits the show before taking a swipe at Lord Sugar’s gruelling selection process, blasting ‘it’s not for me’
![MailOnline can reveal the contestant gave up their fight during intense scenes in the boardroom, leaving the billionaire businessman stunned](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/09/95123913-14385315-image-a-8_1739353414245.jpg)
MailOnline can reveal the contestant gave up their fight during intense scenes in the boardroom, leaving the billionaire businessman stunned
![In scenes yet to air on the BBC series, one entrepreneur suddenly calls time on their chance of winning Lord Sugar's personal mentorship and £250,000 investment](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/12/95129517-14385315-image-m-4_1739364512277.jpg)
In scenes yet to air on the BBC series, one entrepreneur suddenly calls time on their chance of winning Lord Sugar’s personal mentorship and £250,000 investment
A TV source told MailOnline: ‘The Apprentice isn’t for everyone and some of the candidates only realise that once they’re in the process.
‘One contestant this series decided to leave the competition early telling Lord Sugar “this isn’t for me.”
‘It came as a total shock in the boardroom – some of the cast now believe the candidate wanted to avoid the potential embarrassment of being fired.
‘They saved Lord Sugar the trouble and simply gave up the chance of becoming his next business partner.’
A source close to the candidate told MailOnline: ‘Ultimately, they realised that the show wasn’t the right process for them and their fellow candidates wanted it more.
‘Staying in the process wouldn’t have been fair to their competitors as far as they were concerned.
‘They have a very successful business, and they always had one eye on getting back to that. Everyone involved just wishes them the absolute best.’
MailOnline has decided against revealing the identity of the candidate so not to spoil the much-loved show for diehard fans.
MailOnline has contacted an Apprentice spokesperson for comment.
![Competing for Lord Sugar's investment this year include Asian supermarket owner Amber-Rose Badrudin, corporate project manager Emma Street, tutor Jonny Heaver, and motivational speaker Frederick Afrifa](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/09/95124375-14385315-image-m-17_1739354183887.jpg)
Competing for Lord Sugar’s investment this year include Asian supermarket owner Amber-Rose Badrudin, corporate project manager Emma Street, tutor Jonny Heaver, and motivational speaker Frederick Afrifa
![The show has already seen gift company entrepreneur Emma Rothwell fall victim to Lord Sugar's firing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/09/95124013-14385315-image-a-11_1739353534295.jpg)
The show has already seen gift company entrepreneur Emma Rothwell fall victim to Lord Sugar’s firing
![Beauty salon owner Aoibheann Walsh became the second candidate to sacked after failing to impress Lord Sugar this series](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/09/95123731-14385315-image-m-4_1739353219139.jpg)
Beauty salon owner Aoibheann Walsh became the second candidate to sacked after failing to impress Lord Sugar this series
The series has already seen gift company entrepreneur Emma Rothwell and beauty salon owner Aoibheann Walsh fall victim to Lord Sugar’s firing.
And another candidate faces the chop this week if they’re on the losing team.
After becoming the first casualty of the boardroom, Emma spoke of how she was robbed of her opportunity.
She said: ‘I just really wanted to show people that you can be a normal person and be nice in business… that you don’t have to be fighting or nasty.
‘I wanted to represent the normal people among us who have gone into business, but I didn’t get the chance.’
Competing for Lord Sugar’s investment this year include Asian supermarket owner Amber-Rose Badrudin, corporate project manager Emma Street, tutor Jonny Heaver, and motivational speaker Frederick Afrifa.
Also hoping to impress with their business acumen are meal prep entrepreneur Mia Collins, salon owner Nadia Suliaman, cosmetic dentist Dr. Jana Denzel, and account manager Max England.
The show has a history of candidates quitting before being sacked.
In 2023, Shannon Martin left the process, telling Lord Sugar in the boardroom: ‘I just don’t think it’s the environment for me.’
During the same season, Reece Donnelly was axed from the competition after breaking show rules by drinking alcohol on a flight to Dubai.
Shama Amin stood back in 2022 because of the pain she experienced with her rheumatoid arthritis.
She said: ‘Mentally, I was strong enough to carry on. But my body wasn’t allowing me to carry on. So I had no choice but to make a difficult decision like that.’